Process for coating pills



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN P. NEMOURS, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR TO PARKE, DAVIS 86 (30., OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

PROCESS FOR COATING PILLS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 231,236, dated August 1'7, 1880.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, JOHN PAUL NEMoURs, of St. Louis, in the county of St. Louis, Missouri, have invented an Improved Process for Coating Pills with Gelatine, of which the following is a specification.

The nature of this invention relates to that class of processes employed for coating pills with gelatine; and the invention consists in the peculiar process substantially as hereinafter set forth.

In carryingoutmyinvention,take of common or white glue or gelatine, as may be desired, a sufficient quantity, and soften the same in cold water until in condition to apply heat. Then bring gradually to a boil, until the gelatine or glue assumes a sirupy consistency. As a test for its condition for the purpose desired, dip in a spatula, and if, on exposure, the glue or gelatine sets quickly, then the pot may be removed from the fire, after the addition of isin glass, as hereinafter stated. Soften in cold water a quantity of American isin glass, (fish-glue,) add water, and boil till the solution is of the consistency of the solution of glue aforesaid. Before removing the glue or gelatine solution from the fire-I add to each pint thereof two table-spoonfuls of the isinglass solution and mix them thoroughly together, when the solution may be removed from the fire and is ready for use. Take a flat pan of convenient size and place therein the pills to be coated, then add four or five table-spoonfuls of the solution, prepared as above described, to every pound of pills.

I then, with the hand, roll the gelatine already applied.

Application filed January 30, 1879.

the pills around vigorously, also shaking the pan well, until the pills are well coated with the solution. At this stage of the process the pills are all stuck together in a mass. For the purpose of separating them I pour on quickly enough of linseed-oil, which I have previously boiled down to three-fourths its volume, to cover the pills, stirring well with the hands, and shaking the pan until the gelatine becomes cold and hard, when they are placed on a fine sieve to drain, repeating the process as often as may be necessary to obtain a sufficient coating on the pills.

The pills should be made very smooth before applying the gelatine solution, which latter should be used hot, while the oil should only be warm, as if used hot it would remove The pan and pills should also be warm.

A solution of alum and whisky or alcohol may be used in place of the oil, if desired, to prevent the gelatine from sticking the pills together, or to separate the pills after the gelatine is applied.

What I claim as my invention is- The process herein described of coating pills, consisting in first rolling them in a solution of hot gelatine, then separating them by agitation while immersed under a layer of warm linseed-oil, or its equivalent, and finally draining them, substantially as described.

JOHN P. NEMOURS.

Witnesses:

BERNARD F. MCDONALD, FRANCIS MEAGHER. 

